Stainless Steel Mop Sink with Seamless FRP Joint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Concrete mop sinks are heavy to install, difficult to keep clean, and prone to mold and bacterial growth due to ledges and cracks, which poses sanitation and safety concerns, especially when combined with fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) backsplashes that create gaps resistant to cleaning and sanitizing.

Innovation Solution

A heavy gauge, seamless stainless steel mop sink with a fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) backsplash and elongated joint forming a waterproof seal, providing structural soundness, ease of installation, and resistance to environmental factors and bacterial growth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If concrete is used for mop sinks, then the sink is rugged and water resistant, but it becomes heavy and difficult to install

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveruggednessVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from concrete to stainless steel, maintaining the ruggedness and water resistance while significantly reducing the weight for easier installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite construction combining stainless steel for the sink basin with FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) for the backsplash and ledges, creating a hybrid structure that achieves both strength and ease of installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of stationary object

If concrete mop sinks are used, then they are long lasting, but they develop cracks and ledges that foster bacterial and mold growth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelong lastingVSAvoidbacterial and mold growth

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a seamless, homogeneous surface by extending the stainless steel material continuously from the sink basin through the backsplash and ledges, eliminating cracks and gaps where bacteria and mold could grow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

The patent prioritizes sanitary conditions over extreme durability, using materials and construction methods that prevent bacterial growth even if the structure needs replacement sooner than concrete

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If FRP backsplash is used with concrete mop sink, then moisture resistance is improved, but gaps and ledges are created that resist cleaning and sanitizing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture resistanceVSAvoidease of cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the stainless steel sink and FRP backsplash into a unified seamless structure using specialized joints and adhesives, eliminating gaps and ledges while maintaining moisture resistance and ease of cleaning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10119255B2Stainless steel mop sink assembly

Publication Date: 2018.11.06 DOVER JAMES CHADWICK

AI summary

A mop sink assembly having a mop sink with a back wall, a left side wall, a right side wall, a front wall; and a bottom with a drain opening. The mop sink is comprised of a heavy gauge stainless steel; preferably 12 gauge 304 stainless steel. The mop sink assembly may further include a backsplash and a seamless joint seal. In practice the backsplash and the seamless joint seal are beneficially made of a fiberglass reinforced plastic.